Read Charlotte is a community literacy initiative that is dedicated to improving children's literacy from birth to third grade. They are not a program, but rather a capacity-building intermediary that works with local partners to apply evidence-based knowledge and interventions to improve reading outcomes. Their goal is to unite educators, community partners, and families in their efforts to improve children's reading skills.

Read Charlotte was established in 2015 after test scores revealed that only 40% of Charlotte's third-graders were reading on grade level. This prompted a community conversation and eventually led to the formation of Read Charlotte, with support from local business, nonprofit, education, philanthropic, and civic leaders. The initiative is administered by the Foundation for the Carolinas and relies on the generosity of funders and partnerships to carry out their mission